Up on the hill, where the Gypsies live, we walked towards the home of a woman named Gulistan.
The local workers have become great friends with this woman. They have visited her month after month and sometimes week after week, to share the love of Jesus and to build relationship with her.
For the past 5 years they have prayed that the seeds they have sown would take root, and that Gulistan would give her heart to Jesus.
We walked the rocky soil, passing by goats, and homes holding together from scrap materials.
We passed by a woman cleaning her linens and hanging them out to dry. We passed by the children running and playing.
As we made it to the door, Gulistan greeted us with kisses and welcomed us into her home. It's Turkish custom to leave your shoes at the door, so we walked into a small room that was assumed to be the kitchen/living room.
We made ourselves comfortable, sitting on the cushions draped over with linens.
My friend interpreted for Gulistan, saying she hadn't known I was coming with them. She had prepared gifts for the two woman I was with, but had something different for me.
She was so kind to even have us in her home. She didn't need to give me a gift!
I was humbled as I watched Gulistan reach for one of her shelves in her kitchen and pull down a decorative camel covered in colorful rhinestones.
She handed it to me, saying this was a special gift, since camels are a historic piece of her homeland.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude, yet my initial response was to refuse - "no, I couldn't possibly accept this! It's far too precious - and it's her own possession. Just being here is gift enough!"
I was also afraid I would insult her by refusing her gift. I was torn!
My friend interpreted that she wanted me to have it.
This small act of kindness spoke volumes to me.
As the rest of our time went on, we realized that Gulistan (who was fasting for Ramadan), had spent her whole day preparing for us and cooking a meal.
She laid a table cloth that was covered with butterflies onto the ground by the cushions we sat on.
This sweet woman who was fasting, plated our food and served us tea. She refused every one of our offers to help, as she wanted to serve us!
Yalangi (stuffed grape leaves), Biber Dolmasī (stuffed peppers), yogurt, Tuzlu Kuru Pasta (Turkish Savory Cookies), a few finger foods, and Turkish tea.
I was overwhelmed by the acts of this woman. From the moment she greeted me I felt I was her friend. How freely she gives! I was challenged by her generosity and it caused me to look inward and honestly ask myself: Do I give this freely?
And I have JESUS... I should be giving just as freely, and MORE!
"...Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8, AMP
The rest of our time went on, and the conversations became more serious as Gulistan shared her deep feelings of despair. It had been four months since her father's passing. She told my friend that there was no hope after death.
I sat there with deep pain for this woman!
How terribly painful to lose a loved one, and to endure such pain apart from the hope and comfort of Jesus. I could only imagine the depth of her sadness. It overwhelmed me and my heart felt her pain.
I wanted her to know the hope I knew! There was so much I wanted to say to her. But how could I? My friend could interpret for me, but I didn't how to form the words.
I resolved to pray:
"Lord, open her heart and her eyes to your hope! May she see You for who You are!"
My friend, who has spent the last four years developing a friendship with this woman, once again told her of the hope of Jesus.
As we left, we prayed that the Lord would open her heart to Jesus. We prayed for dreams and that she would see the Lord's hope.
One week later, a different woman, who was friends with Gulistan, came to her saying that she'd had a dream about 'Isa,' (in Turkish, 'Isa' means Jesus)! She was perplexed and desperate to know what the dream meant.
Gulistan called my friend (who speaks Turkish) and asked if she could come and explain the dream.
When my friend arrived to Gulistan's home, there were three women present - Gulistan, her friend that had the dream, and another friend.
These woman were curious, and they were troubled, but they were hungry to hear truth. My friend told them about Jesus! Two of the woman gave their hearts to the Lord that day, including Gulistan!!!
When my friend returned with this news, our entire team was overjoyed.
We had just prayed a week ago that the Lord would show himself in dreams and that they would see His hope alive. And here He's done it!
My eyes filled with tears knowing my new friend, who was so downtrodden just one week ago, has finally found the hope of Jesus, just as we had prayed!
My new friend now sees that hope is not dead, but hope is ALIVE!!!
Praise the Lord!!!
This camel, my gift from Gulistan, will always be a reminder of my friend, and what the Lord has done. It will always remind me that HOPE IS ALIVE!
"We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." Psalms 33:20-22
